Designing your own English Garden
Simplicity and Charm
English gardens are celebrated worldwide for their exceptional charm, beauty and adaptability.
These gardens elements and influences are as diverse as the host country itself.
With multiple historical and social influences as well a favourable climate with abundant water, English gardens are lush, vibrant and complex.
However, the very essence of an English gardens beauty is both simplistic and charming.
I have often thought the major appeal of English gardens is their contradiction between formality and informality.
There is a distinct blurring between the lines between these two fundamentals which provides an exciting juxtaposition!
The history of English Garden design
Pre 16 century many English gardens and landscapes were more functional than aesthetic. Fortified towns and rural villages utilised surrounding gardens for the production of food and medicinal herbs.
After the first century AD the Roman Empire brought many influences over from the European continent. The Romans had their own horticultural traditions and architectural styles which influenced the islands landscapes.
This more classical style had a focus upon geometric forms, axial pathways as well as ornamental fountains and statues.
After the fall of the Roman Empire the spread of Christianity and Monasticism further influenced the arrangement of English gardens.
Monasteries become places of horticultural experimentation and innovation. This led to many agricultural advances in crop growing and associated delicacies such as wine production. The heavy fortifications of the middle ages resulted in gardens and crops being strategically closer to buildings. This was essential in times of conflict and in the event of sieges.
After the first century AD the Roman Empire brought many influences over from the European continent. The Romans had their own horticultural traditions and architectural styles which influenced the islands landscapes.
This more classical style had a focus upon geometric forms, axial pathways as well as ornamental fountains and statues.
After the fall of the Roman Empire the spread of Christianity and Monasticism further influenced the arrangement of English gardens.
Monasteries become places of horticultural experimentation and innovation. This led to many agricultural advances in crop growing and associated delicacies such as wine production. The heavy fortifications of the middle ages resulted in gardens and crops being strategically closer to buildings. This was essential in times of conflict and in the event of sieges.
This helped to evolve what is now recognised as the traditional ‘walled English garden’. Monasteries would organise their gardens into compartmentalised growing spaces for various crops. Some sections would be used to grow vegetables while others, fruits, teas and herbal remedies.
The English climate also had a heavy influence upon gardens during these historical times. Being susceptible to high winds and late frosts there was always a need for extra shelter. Walled gardens helped to create calmer growing conditions for tender food crops to thrive.
A combination of masonry walls and gravel surfaces also helped to absorb and reflect sunlight boosting warm microclimates. This led to an extended growing season and abundant crop harvests.
The 16th and 17 centuries saw England enter into the era of sea travel and empire expansion. This led to a period of sea faring exploration where specimen plants were brought from distant lands. English estates employed teams of gardeners and horticulturists who experimented with various planting types and colour designs.
In such cases classical landscape design met large generous borders exploding with new colourful exotics! These luxurious plantings where set within well structured gardens with symmetrical beds and geometric pathways.
Such gardens were lined with tightly clipped hedges and regimented topiary. Grand English estates would require sizable budgets for such intensive horticultural regimes.
Inevitably the rise and fall of family wealth would result in fluctuating levels of upkeep. This would result in some estates becoming less well managed and overgrown. Consequently, an overgrown look has evolved alongside the more traditional and classical English garden style.
Groundcovers would spill out onto pathways while climbers would cover old walls and structures. Therefore it is often common to see combinations of both formal and more naturalistic elements within English gardens. During the 18th Century many English garden designers started to move away from the classical style. Landscape architects such as William Kent and Capability Brown adopted more of a naturalistic style.
More emphasis was put upon mirroring the natural beauty of landscapes than geometric shapes and straight lines. Such gardens would captivate more of the romanticism of nature with sweeping grasslands, woodlands, and lakes.
Inevitably the rise and fall of family wealth would result in fluctuating levels of upkeep. This would result in some estates becoming less well managed and overgrown. Consequently, an overgrown look has evolved alongside the more traditional and classical English garden style.
Groundcovers would spill out onto pathways while climbers would cover old walls and structures. Therefore it is often common to see combinations of both formal and more naturalistic elements within English gardens. During the 18th Century many English garden designers started to move away from the classical style. Landscape architects such as William Kent and Capability Brown adopted more of a naturalistic style.
More emphasis was put upon mirroring the natural beauty of landscapes than geometric shapes and straight lines. Such gardens would captivate more of the romanticism of nature with sweeping grasslands, woodlands, and lakes.
Many of these gardens would incorporate meandering pathways which would take you on a journey of discovery through nature! Such journeys would travel through places of enclosure followed by stunning views and interesting focal points.
Such dramatic English landscape design can be seen within gardens such as Stourhead in Wiltshire. The Victorian era then saw an ever increasing interest in gardens and horticulture. This period of English history came at the aftermath of the industrial revolution.
Such dramatic English landscape design can be seen within gardens such as Stourhead in Wiltshire. The Victorian era then saw an ever increasing interest in gardens and horticulture. This period of English history came at the aftermath of the industrial revolution.
Many of the population now lived within towns and cities which were often overcrowded with poor air quality.
Many government initiatives were brought forward to help green towns and cities to improve health. This led to the development of many new parks and public gardens within urban centres.
Many urban town houses would combine layers of the old English style with both formal and informal elements. Front gardens often featured geometric shapes, clipped hedges and decorative but functional pathways.
Many urban town houses would combine layers of the old English style with both formal and informal elements. Front gardens often featured geometric shapes, clipped hedges and decorative but functional pathways.
Borders were often adorned with mass plantings of extravagant flowers typical of rustic cottage gardens. This combination of formal, naturalistic, rustic, historical and exotic is what makes English gardens so exciting!
The evolution of English gardens within history and their many influences is what gives them so many multiple layers. It is these diverse layers which makes it easy for English gardens to blend into any garden style.
This means into the future, English gardens will continue to change and involve while still maintaining their timeless beauty! Design elements of an English garden.
When planning an English garden, there are some typical elements which can add authenticity to your design. These elements have evolved through history and featured within many famous English gardens.
Such elements can enhance your gardens character and charm adding interest and drama. Below I list and summarise some of the typical English garden design elements.
This means into the future, English gardens will continue to change and involve while still maintaining their timeless beauty! Design elements of an English garden.
When planning an English garden, there are some typical elements which can add authenticity to your design. These elements have evolved through history and featured within many famous English gardens.
Such elements can enhance your gardens character and charm adding interest and drama. Below I list and summarise some of the typical English garden design elements.
Informality
English gardens are well known for their ability to blend into the surrounding landscape. Like Japanese gardens they can call upon the power of borrowed landscape to enhance their context.
Many English gardens will have a naturalistic feel in the form or rambling climbers, flowering meadows and dense flower borders. This helps to encourage biodiversity and celebrate nature.
It is very rare for English gardens to not be adorned with the chorus of bird song for this reason. Traditional English gardens where a labour of love for local tradesmen and horticulturists.
These gardens often feature rustic stone walls, decorative pathways, and naturalistic flower borders.
Many English gardens will have a naturalistic feel in the form or rambling climbers, flowering meadows and dense flower borders. This helps to encourage biodiversity and celebrate nature.
It is very rare for English gardens to not be adorned with the chorus of bird song for this reason. Traditional English gardens where a labour of love for local tradesmen and horticulturists.
These gardens often feature rustic stone walls, decorative pathways, and naturalistic flower borders.
Planting
English garden planting is often utilised in a number of ways with a combination of both formal and informal. Very often, the main structure of the garden will be lined with low formal hedges and vertical clipped specimens.
These greatly contrast more naturalistic meadows and perennial flowering borders. In English gardens there is a great celebration and appreciation of seasonal change. During spring lawns are adorned with flowering bulbs and plants with long flowering seasons are favourable.
It is typical for seasonal foliage, fruits and berries to be integrated in such designs. English gardens also have an emphasis on attracting plenty of wildlife so native and ecological planting is beneficial.
These greatly contrast more naturalistic meadows and perennial flowering borders. In English gardens there is a great celebration and appreciation of seasonal change. During spring lawns are adorned with flowering bulbs and plants with long flowering seasons are favourable.
It is typical for seasonal foliage, fruits and berries to be integrated in such designs. English gardens also have an emphasis on attracting plenty of wildlife so native and ecological planting is beneficial.
Focal Points
The idea of hierarchy and structure is something which is well ingrained within English culture. With a distinct social class system and an emphasis on tradition and ceremony English gardens are adorned with focal points.
Some of these ideals are remnants of classical design periods. However, focal points also provide many opportunities to cause suspense, surprise and splendour. Many English gardens incorporate quirky ornamental features such as wells and even grottos.
Water features, sculptures and ornaments are also a great way to adorn your English garden design. Perhaps your focal point will have some personal or cultural significance.
Some of these ideals are remnants of classical design periods. However, focal points also provide many opportunities to cause suspense, surprise and splendour. Many English gardens incorporate quirky ornamental features such as wells and even grottos.
Water features, sculptures and ornaments are also a great way to adorn your English garden design. Perhaps your focal point will have some personal or cultural significance.
Pathways and Walkways
Pathways and walkways are an important design element within English gardens serving both aesthetic and functional purposes. Pathways have always helped to create structure within gardens which had a square layout.
Walled gardens would be dissected by horizontal and vertical pathways which ran passed growing areas. More importantly, pathways are often used to create journeys and guide circulation through the landscape.
Many famous English gardens use a combination of curvy, informal paths which cross more formal, structural areas. This can be an effective way to steer and focus the walker’s attention and build suspense.
Walled gardens would be dissected by horizontal and vertical pathways which ran passed growing areas. More importantly, pathways are often used to create journeys and guide circulation through the landscape.
Many famous English gardens use a combination of curvy, informal paths which cross more formal, structural areas. This can be an effective way to steer and focus the walker’s attention and build suspense.
Traditional Materials
Traditional materials have always been a feature of both English architecture and landscape design. Every region of Britain has its own contextual materials and local workmanship.
In the West Country there is an ample amount of natural stone which is used extensively in traditional buildings. The Cotswold region has its own distinctive yellow stone which adorns traditional cottages and villages.
The South of England has the perfect clay for brick production of varying colours and styles. Consequently, English gardens should be a celebration of what is local and well crafted.
It is this unique combination of contextual quality which adds so much value to English gardens.
In the West Country there is an ample amount of natural stone which is used extensively in traditional buildings. The Cotswold region has its own distinctive yellow stone which adorns traditional cottages and villages.
The South of England has the perfect clay for brick production of varying colours and styles. Consequently, English gardens should be a celebration of what is local and well crafted.
It is this unique combination of contextual quality which adds so much value to English gardens.
Lawns
Lawns within English gardens have long provided expansive spaces for relaxation and recreation. Go to any English village on a sunny day and you will local families congregating upon the village green.
You may even see a game of cricket played on expansive public lawns. Lawns are heavily integrated into both the English landscape and tradition. They can provide opportunities for sport as well as more relaxing activities.
English gardens typically use lawns to form expansive walkways between borders. This helps to celebrate their large and well designed planting displays. Lawns can also be used to increase spatial hierarchy and biodiversity.
Rougher areas of grass and meadow around trees and shrubs can be cut less often allowing bulbs and wildflowers to bloom.
You may even see a game of cricket played on expansive public lawns. Lawns are heavily integrated into both the English landscape and tradition. They can provide opportunities for sport as well as more relaxing activities.
English gardens typically use lawns to form expansive walkways between borders. This helps to celebrate their large and well designed planting displays. Lawns can also be used to increase spatial hierarchy and biodiversity.
Rougher areas of grass and meadow around trees and shrubs can be cut less often allowing bulbs and wildflowers to bloom.
Your Site Analysis
When designing your very own English garden you will first need to conduct a site analysis. This entails assessing the current conditions of your site by identifying positives and negatives.
For example, where does the majority of your sunlight fall? Are there any good views? Or bad views you wish to hide? Such an analysis will aid decision making during the design process.
An effective way of conducting a site analysis is by undertaking a SWOT analysis. This is basically lists of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to your beautiful English Garden dream.
At the end of this process you should have quite a comprehensive list that help you to navigate the process of putting your Garden together.
For example, where does the majority of your sunlight fall? Are there any good views? Or bad views you wish to hide? Such an analysis will aid decision making during the design process.
An effective way of conducting a site analysis is by undertaking a SWOT analysis. This is basically lists of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to your beautiful English Garden dream.
At the end of this process you should have quite a comprehensive list that help you to navigate the process of putting your Garden together.